The latest tracking prediction as Cyclone Trevor nears the Queensland coast as a category 3 system.

Weather

Warnings cyclone could reach category 4

by Peter Michael, Domanii Cameron, Cloe Read

19th Mar 2019 8:29 AM
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SEVERE Tropical Cyclone Trevor, packing 220km/h winds, may yet turn into a category 4 system as it spears towards Cape York Peninsula.

As of about 11am category three Cyclone Trevor, located about 85km east-southeast of the tiny former aboriginal mission of Lockhart River, was rapidly intensifying and was due to hit the coast about 5pm today.

It was moving at about 9km/h in a west-southwest direction.

Extra police and emergency crews have been deployed ahead of very destructive winds, a storm surge on top of abnormally high tides, and torrential rain and thunderstorms across much of the Cape.

A warning zone remains for Pormpuraaw to Mapoon and Orford Ness to Cape Melville, inculding Lockhart River. A cyclone watch zone is in place for Mapoon to Cape York.

Police saying the Lockhart River community will "go into lockdown" at 1pm.

Emergency services have urged residents in the warning areas to prepare their properties and evacuation plans before then, before it was too late, and to listen to updates on the situation.

Destructive winds, storm tides and abnormally high tides are also expected.

Mr Gunn described Tropical Cyclone Trevor as having a "very destructive" core which was about 75km wide and had wind gusts of about 220km/h. The 11.08am update from the BoM said it had sustained winds near the centre of 150km/h and wind gusts to 205km/h.

"This makes it the high end of a category 3 system," he said.

Mr Gunn said the cyclone was a compact system and there was uncertainty surrounding it in terms of if it would intensify or change path.

Cyclone Trevor was expected to weaken as it crosses the northern Peninsula tonight and Wednesday, but may remain a category 1 cyclone until it enters the Gulf of Carpentaria later on Wednesday.

It is expected to reintensify "rapidly" in the Gulf, with the latest BoM tracking map expecting it to become a category 3 by Thursday.

As the cyclone starts to impact communities tonight and tomorrow, she warned residents to stay indoors until the danger has passed.

"We have crews on the ground to help before the cyclone hits, and following the impact, as soon as it is safe," Ms Carroll said.

"If the building you're sheltering in begins to break up, immediately seek shelter under a strong table or bench or under a heavy mattress,'' she said.

Emergency kits should be stocked with essential supplies including food, water, warm clothes, medications, first aid supplies, important documents, valuables, a battery-powered or wind up radio and sleeping gear.

Schools across the far north are currently preparing for Cyclone Trevor with the Department of Education urging parents and children to be vigilant over the coming days.

The department said safety is the top priority and local state schools in the affected area are undertaking preparations for the severe weather event and are securing school facilities.

Parents have been advised to check in with their individual childcare centres and schools to find out about closures.

WHAT TO DO

QFES is urging people in the affected area to finalise their preparation for the cyclone.